Inspection Report

Business Name
The Gardens

Business Address
1601 W QUEEN CREEK RD CHANDLER AZ 85248

Permit Number
FD-39018

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
CI Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
2/18/2026

Grade
C

Priority Violation
2

Inspection Status
Completed

Violations

Violation #: 8

Description: Hands Clean and Properly Washed

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-2-301.14 - Priority: When to Wash. For a permanent fix to this violation, check out these simple tools in our Active Managerial Control Toolbox, made especially for you. https://www.maricopa.gov/4573/AMC-Toolbox: Handwashing.

Addl Notes: Employee removed/handled earbud from ear in the ware wash area; then went to handle clean items without washing hands. Employee was asked to wash hands and did so. Ensure that employees wash hands after engaging in activities that may contaminate hands. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 20

Description: Proper Cooling Time and Temperatures

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.14 - Priority: Cooling. For a permanent fix to this violation, check out these simple tools in our Active Managerial Control Toolbox, made especially for you. https://www.maricopa.gov/4617/AMC-Toolbox---Cooling.

Addl Notes: Chicken gumbo-54F and rice item-45F in the walk cooler. The PIC stated that both items were placed into the walk in the previous day to cool and discarded- see embargo form. Ensure that PHF/TCS foods are cooled within 2 hours from 135°F to 70°F and within a total of 6 hours from 135°F to 41°F or less. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 23

Description: Proper Date Marking and Disposition

Comments:

3-501.17 - Priority Foundation: Ready-To-Eat Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Date Marking. For a permanent fix to this violation, check out these simple tools in our Active Managerial Control Toolbox, made especially for you. https://www.maricopa.gov/4125/Food-SafetyOperator-Resources. Addl Notes: Multiple opened packages or prepared items of turkey, ham, chicken, cut tomatoes, salad items, cooked vegetables, and marinara sauce date marked for use within 8 to 10 days. All items were still within the 7 day time frame and the PIC stated that the use by dates would be corrected. TCS food should be clearly marked to indicate the date or day the food shall be consumed on premises, sold, or discarded when held at a temperature of 41°F or less for a maximum of 7 days. The day of preparation shall be counted as Day 1. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 38

Description: Insects, Rodents and Animals not Present

Comments:

6-202.15 - Core: Outer Openings, Protected Addl Notes: There is a gap at the bottom of the kitchen door, which opens to the outside. Install door sweep on the bottom of the door to eliminate the gap or eliminate by other means. ** Insects and rodents are vectors of disease-causing microorganisms which may be transmitted to humans by contamination of food and food-contact surfaces. The presence of insects and rodents is minimized by protecting outer openings to the food establishment.

Violation #: 40

Description: Personal Cleanliness

Comments:

2-303.11 - Core: Prohibition-Jewelry Addl Notes: Employee prepping salads in the server pass thru area while wearing multiple dangling bracelets. Ensure that employees preparing food items limit jewelry items to just a plain band. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Violation #: 41

Description: Wiping Cloths; Properly Used and Stored

Comments:

3-304.14 - Core: Wiping Cloths, Use Limitation Addl Notes: Lactic Acid (Sink and Surface) sanitizer solution in cloth bucket with concentration at 0ppm. PIC stated that solution would remade to proper concentration. Ensure that sanitizers are at proper concentration according to manufactures directions. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Comments/Details

Please note: Raw or undercooked food items are not to be served or offered to highly susceptible populations. Discussed consumer advisory requirements for the sirloin steak for the independent living residents.
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Provided the PIC with cooling handouts.

"A" for Food Safety

Through our grading system, Maricopa County Environmental Services Department provides at-a-glance indications of how food establishments perform during food safety inspections. This system is designed to grade food establishments in terms of food safety requirements and provide recognition to those who choose to participate.

How does it work?

The issuance of grade cards to food establishments is based on voluntary participation. The person in charge, who is present during the inspection, will be asked whether they would like to participate in the Grading System. This will be decided prior to each inspection. If an establishment does not participate in the Grading System, Not Participating or NP will appear on the inspection report, and the inspection will still occur. If an establishment does participate, a grade of A, B, C, or D will be determined at the conclusion of the inspection using the Grading System chart below. Participating establishments will then be provided with a grade card that can be posted in the establishment. The status of the establishment’s grade will also appear on the Restaurant Ratings page of the department’s website.

How can I determine the grade?

The Grading System chart can be used to determine grades earned for establishments that do not participate. Grades are determined by the number of Priority and Priority Foundation violations received at the time of inspection. Violation types are defined in general terms below.

Definitions

Priority Violation: Major violation that directly contributes to increasing the risk of foodborne illness or injury (e.g. Food employees do not properly wash hands when required).
Priority Foundation Violation: Minor violation that does not directly contribute to an increased risk of foodborne illness but failure to correct this violation may lead to the occurrence of a priority violation. For example, hand washing soap and paper towels not available at hand wash sink (may lead directly to food employees not properly washing hands when required).
Core Violation: Minor violation that relates to general maintenance and sanitation (e.g. No sign reminding employees to wash hands).
Cutting Edge Program: All county food-related establishments can partner with Maricopa County to implement a proactive approach to reducing foodborne illness risk factors by implementing food safety systems that include policies, training, and verification processes. Partners enrolled in the Cutting Edge Program receive an A+ when an A is earned.

Grading System The matrix below is used to grade food inspections under the voluntary grading system.
Violation Category	Grade A	Grade B	Grade B	Grade B	Grade B	Grade B	Grade B	Grade B	Grade C	Grade C	Grade C	Grade C	Grade C	Grade C	Grade D	Grade D
Priority	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	1	0	1	1	2	2	2	more than 2	more than 3
Priority Foundation	0	1	2	3	4	0	1	2	5	3	4	0	1	2	more than 3	more than 0

Any legal action for a pattern of non-compliance or permit suspension results in a D.